Hydrangea plant named ‘HIMOO’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant named ‘HIMOO’, characterized by its upright and broadly spreading plant habit; moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit and moderate growth rate; freely branching habit; strong and sturdy stems; dark green-colored leaves; freely flowering habit; large and dense inflorescences with white-colored sterile flowers with purplish red-colored margins; and good post-production longevity.

Botanical designation: Hydrangea macrophylla.

Cultivar denomination: ‘HIMOO’.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY INVENTOR/APPLICANT & ASSIGNEE

An European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application for the instantplant was filed by the Applicant/Assignee of the instant application, HiBreeding B.V. of De Lier, The Netherlands on Nov. 15, 2021, applicationnumber 2021/2937. Foreign priority is not claimed to this European PlantBreeder's Rights application.

The Inventor/Applicant and Assignee assert that no publications noradvertisements relating to sales, offers for sale or public distributionoccurred more than one year prior to the effective filing date of thisapplication. Any information about the claimed plant would have beenobtained from a direct or indirect disclosure from theInventor/Applicant and/or the Assignee. Inventor/Applicant and Assigneeclaim a prior art exception under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1) for disclosureand/or sales prior to the filing date but less than one year prior tothe effective filing date.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofHydrangea plant, botanically known as Hydrangea macrophylla,commercially referred to as a mophead-type Hydrangea and hereinafterreferred to by the name ‘HIMOO’.

The new Hydrangea plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in De Lier, The Netherlands. The objective ofthe breeding program is to create new sturdy and strong Hydrangea plantswith attractive inflorescences and good postproduction longevity.

The new Hydrangea plant originated from a cross-pollination on Apr. 6,2016 of a proprietary selection of Hydrangea macrophylla identified ascode number 1679, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with aproprietary selection of Hydrangea macrophylla identified as code number1565, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Hydrangeaplant was discovered and selected as a single flowering plant fromwithin the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlledgreenhouse environment in De Lier, The Netherlands on Apr. 12, 2018.

Asexual reproduction of the new Hydrangea plant by terminal vegetativecuttings since Jul. 12, 2018 in a controlled greenhouse environment inDe Lier, The Netherlands has shown that the unique features of this newHydrangea plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Hydrangea have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘HIMOO’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘HIMOO’ as a new and distinct Hydrangea plant:

-   -   1. Upright and broadly spreading plant habit.    -   2. Moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit and moderate        growth rate.    -   3. Freely branching habit.    -   4. Strong and sturdy stems.    -   5. Dark green-colored leaves.    -   6. Freely flowering habit.    -   7. Large and dense inflorescences with white-colored sterile        flowers with purplish red-colored margins.    -   8. Good post-production longevity.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can be compared to plants of the femaleparent selection. Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily fromplants of the female parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea are more freely branching than        plants of the female parent selection.    -   2. Stems of plants of the new Hydrangea are sturdier than stems        of plants of the female parent selection.    -   3. Sepals of sterile flowers of plants of the new Hydrangea have        darker purplish red-colored margins than sepals of sterile        flowers of plants of the female parent selection.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can be compared to plants of the male parentselection. Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants ofthe male parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Stems of plants of the new Hydrangea are sturdier than stems        of plants of the male parent selection.    -   2. Sepals of sterile flowers of plants of the new Hydrangea have        darker purplish red-colored margins than sepals of sterile        flowers of plants of the male parent selection.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can be compared to plants of Hydrangeamacrophylla ‘Hortmaflam’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,716. Inside-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarilyfrom plants of ‘Hortmaflam’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea are more freely branching than        plants of ‘Hortmaflam’.    -   2. Stems of plants of the new Hydrangea are sturdier than stems        of plants of ‘Hortmaflam’.    -   3. Sepals of sterile flowers of plants of the new Hydrangea have        darker purplish red-colored margins than sepals of sterile        flowers of plants of ‘Hortmaflam’.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can also be compared to plants of Hydrangeamacrophylla ‘H211901’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,391. Inside-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarilyfrom plants of ‘H211901’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Stems of plants of the new Hydrangea are sturdier than stems        of plants of ‘H211901’.    -   2. Sepals of sterile flowers of plants of the new Hydrangea have        darker purplish red-colored margins than sepals of sterile        flowers of plants of ‘H211901’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the unique appearance ofthe new Hydrangea plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailedbotanical description which accurately describe the colors of the newHydrangea plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1) is a side perspective view ofa typical flowering plant of ‘HIMOO’ grown in a container.

The photograph at the top of the second sheet (FIG. 2) is a close-upview of a typical inflorescence of ‘HIMOO’.

The photograph at the bottom of the second sheet (FIG. 3) is a close-upview of a typical leaf of ‘HIMOO’.

The photograph on the third sheet (FIG. 4) is a top perspective view ofa typical flowering plant of ‘HIMOO’ that has been treated with aluminumsulfate, or “blued”.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Plants used in the aforementioned photographs and in the followingdescription were grown during the late winter and early spring in 14-cmcontainers in a glass-covered greenhouse in De Lier, The Netherlands andunder cultural practices typical of commercial Hydrangea production.During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 20° C.to 35° C., night temperatures ranged from 10° C. to 22° C. and lightlevels averaged 4,000 lux. Plants of the new Hydrangea were pinched onetime and were 18 months old when the photographs and description weretaken. In the following description, color references are made to TheRoyal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except wheregeneral terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical description: Hydrangea macrophylla ‘HIMOO’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, patent.—Proprietary selection of Hydrangea            macrophylla identified as code number 1679, not patented.        -   Male, or pollen, patent.—Proprietary selection of Hydrangea            macrophylla identified as code number 1565, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type cutting.—By vegetative terminal cuttings.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About twelve days at            temperatures about 22° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About two weeks at            temperatures about 20° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About four            weeks at temperatures about 22° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About one            month at temperatures about 19° C.        -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fibrous; typically            white in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on            substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and            formulation, substrate temperature and physiological age of            roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Moderately freely branching; medium density.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Upright, broadly outwardly spreading            and mounding plant habit; flattened globular in overall            shape; strong and sturdy stems; moderately vigorous to            vigorous growth habit and moderate growth rate; about six            months from propagation are required to produce small            finished flowering plants.        -   Plant height.—About 34.5 cm.        -   Plant diameter or area of spread.—About 61.5 cm.-   Lateral branch description:    -   -   Branching habit.—Freely branching habit with about 20            lateral branches per plant; pinching enhances lateral branch            development.        -   Length.—About 16.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 5 mm.        -   Internode length.—About 3.7 cm.        -   Strength.—Strong, sturdy.        -   Aspect.—About 50° from vertical.        -   Texture, developing and developed.—Smooth, glabrous;            becoming woody with subsequent development.        -   Color, developing.—Close to 144A and at the nodes, tinged            with close to N186C.        -   Color, fully developed.—Close to a blend of 143B and 144A            and at the nodes, tinged with close to N186C; when woody,            close to N199A to N199C.        -   Lenticels.—Density: Sparse to medium density. Length: About            1 mm. Diameter: About 0.5 mm. Color: Close to a blend of            N186C and 200B.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, simple.        -   Length.—About 13.8 cm.        -   Width.—About 9.1 cm.        -   Shape.—Obovate to broadly elliptic.        -   Apex.—Apiculate.        -   Base.—Short attenuate to obtuse.        -   Margin.—Coarsely crenate-serrate.        -   Texture, upper surface.—Slightly rugose, glabrous.        -   Texture, lower surface.—Slightly rugose and mostly glabrous            with small tufts in vein axils.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 143A            strongly tinged with close to 203B. Developing leaves, lower            surface: Close to a blend of N77C and N200B. Fully developed            leaves, upper surface: Darker than a blend of NN137A and            147A; venation, close to 144A. Fully developed leaves, lower            surface: Close to 147B; venation, close to 146B.        -   Petioles.—Length: About 2.6 cm. Diameter: About 4 mm to            4.5 mm. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces:            Smooth, glabrous; moderately glossy. Color, upper surface:            Close to a 146B and towards the margins, close to 146A.            Color, lower surface: Close to 146B.-   Flower description:    -   -   Flower type and habit.—Showy rotate sterile flowers and            small, inconspicuous rotate fertile flowers arranged on            mophead-type terminal panicles; panicles flattened globular            in shape; sterile flowers face upright to outwardly and            fertile flowers mostly upright.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Natural flowering season.—In the garden, plants flower            continuously from the late spring to late summer in The            Netherlands; flower dormancy can be broken with a cold            storage treatment.        -   Flower longevity.—Good postproduction longevity; sterile            flowers maintain good substance for about six weeks on the            plant, sterile flowers persistent; fertile flowers last for            a few days on the plant, fertile flowers not persistent.        -   Quantity of flowers.—Freely flowering habit; about 90            sterile flowers per panicle and about 55 fertile flowers per            panicle.        -   Panicle height.—About 9.5 cm.        -   Panicle diameter.—About 16.4 cm.        -   Panicle peduncles.—Length: About 5.7 cm. Diameter: About            3 mm. Strength: Strong. Aspect: Primary peduncles, mostly            erect; lateral peduncles, about 32.5° from primary peduncle            axis. Texture: Moderately pubescent. Color: Close to 144B.        -   Sterile flower buds.—Length: About 9 mm. Diameter: About            1.3 cm. Shape: Irregular and broadly cup-shaped. Color:            Close to a blend of 145D and 150D; towards the apex, close            to NN155A with a narrow margin, close to 64B.        -   Fertile flower buds.—Length: About 3 mm. Diameter: About            3 mm. Shape: Broadly obovate. Color: Close to NN155D and            147D with a narrow margin, close to 60D.        -   Sterile flower diameter.—About 3.2 cm to 4.8 cm.        -   Sterile flower depth (height).—About 1.1 cm to 2.6 cm.        -   Fertile flower diameter.—About 1 cm.        -   Fertile flower depth (height).—About 5 mm.        -   Petals, sterile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Four, or            occasionally five, in a single whorl. Length: About 3 mm.            Width: About 2 mm. Shape: Broadly ovate, concave. Apex:            Acute. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster,            upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color:            When opening and fully opened, upper surface: Close to            NN155D; color does not change with subsequent development.            When opening and fully opened, lower surface: Close to            NN155D; color does not change with subsequent development.        -   Petals, fertile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Five, or            occasionally six, in a single whorl. Length: About 3.25 mm.            Width: About 2 mm. Shape: Ovate, concave. Apex: Acute. Base:            Cuneate. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower            surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: When opening and            fully opened, upper surface: Close to NN155D; color does not            change with subsequent development. When opening and fully            opened, lower surface: Close to NN155D; color does not            change with subsequent development.        -   Sepals, sterile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Typically            four, or occasionally five, in a single whorl; strongly            imbricate. Length: About 1.7 cm to 2.3 cm. Width: About 1.8            cm to 3 cm. Shape: Reniform to broadly rhomboidal, slightly            concave. Apex: Obtuse to retuse. Base: Broadly cuneate to            shallowly truncate. Margin: Entire; coarsely undulate.            Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,            glabrous; matte. Color: When opening, upper surface: Close            to NN155D; at the margins, close to N75A. When opening,            lower surface: Close to NN155D; at the margins, close to 72B            to 72D. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to NN155D; at the            margins, close to 60C; with subsequent development, color            becoming closer to 144B and 145A with margins, close to 58A            and 59C; when treated with aluminum sulfate or “blued”,            colors becoming closer to NN155D with margins, close to 77A.            Fully opened, lower surface: Close to NN155D; at the            margins, close to 61C to 61D; with subsequent development,            color becoming closer to 144D with margins, close to 58B to            58C; when treated with aluminum sulfate or “blued”, colors            becoming closer to NN155D with margins, close to 77B.        -   Sepals, fertile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Six, or            occasionally five or seven, in a single whorl. Length: About            1 mm. Width: About 1 mm. Shape: Broadly ovate. Apex: Acute.            Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and            lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: When opening            and fully opened, upper surface: Close to 155C; color does            not change with subsequent development. When opening and            fully opened, lower surface: Close to 155C; color does not            change with subsequent development.        -   Pedicels, sterile flowers.—Length: About 2.3 cm. Diameter:            About 1.5 mm. Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About 35°            from main peduncle axis. Texture and luster: Densely            pubescent; slightly glossy. Color: Close to NN155B.        -   Pedicels, fertile flowers.—Length: About 0.5 mm. Diameter:            About 0.1 mm. Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About 10°            from vertical. Texture and luster: Densely pubescent; matte.            Color: Close to 155C.        -   Reproductive organs, sterile flowers.—Stamens: Quantity per            flower: Eight. Filament length: About 3 mm. Filament color:            Close to NN155D. Anther shape: Broadly oblong. Anther            length: About 1 mm. Anther color: Close to 155D. Pollen            amount: Scarce. Pollen color: Close to 155A. Pistils: Pistil            quantity per flower: Two, or occasionally, three. Pistil            length: About 1.5 mm. Stigma shape: Club-shaped. Stigma            color: Close to 155C. Style length: About 1 mm. Style color:            Close to NN155B. Ovary color: Close to NN155B.        -   Reproductive organs, fertile flowers.—Stamens: Quantity per            flower: Ten. Filament length: About 3.5 mm. Filament color:            Close to NN155D. Anther shape: Broadly oblong. Anther            length: About 1 mm. Anther color: Close to 155D. Pollen            amount: Scarce. Pollen color: Close to 155A. Pistils: Pistil            quantity per flower: Three. Pistil length: About 1.5 mm.            Stigma shape: Club-shaped. Stigma color: Close to 155C.            Style length: About 1 mm. Style color: Close to NN155B.            Ovary color: Close to 157D.        -   Seeds.—To date, seed development has not been observed on            plants of the new Hydrangea.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Hydrangea    have not been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common    to Hydrangea plants.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Hydrangea have been shown    to be suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 9.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Hydrangea plant named ‘HIMOO’ asillustrated and described.